More than half a dozen House Republicans who voted to codify federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage in July flipped to voting 'no' or 'present' on Thursday – despite the Senate making the bill more GOP-friendly.
The backslide highlights the political tightrope many GOP elected officials are walking as LGBTQ+ rights continue to divide the party.The bill passed with support from 39 Republicans, down from the 47 who voted for it in July – even after a bipartisan group of senators amended the bill to ensure it doesn't infringe on religious liberty.
He told Axios, "I don't know if Republicans in the Senate read the bill, but I did. And that was very problematic. ... It was a symbolic vote because it's the law of the land anyway." One aide to a Republican "yes" vote chalked the flips up to "intense lobbying from various conservative groups between July & now ... phone lines were full of people from across the country urging a no vote."
"It's very easy to vote 'no,' it's hard to get to get to 'yes' ... on votes like this," said Rep. John Katko , who also maintained his “yes” vote. Asked if he thinks there was politics involved in his colleagues' decision-making, he said: "I think there always is."Some Democrats also offered their theories about the vote-flips. "If they were for it before the election, why are they not for it now? I have no idea, other than pressure groups.
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